The skyline of the Pete Light area in Trigg County may soon have a new addition as Barkley Lake Water begins to build a new 1.25 million gallon water tank in the vicinity.

District Superintendent Terry Goins announced that after approval from the Federal Aviation Administration for the tower standing 735 feet above mean sea level, the Kentucky Aviation Zoning Authority approved the structure at a May 8 hearing.

“We did get permission. They wanted to make sure everything was good to go for the tower, and everything went great,” said Goins.

District Engineering Consultant Ricky Oakley of GRW Engineering added, “Everything is done now and we have our contractor on board.” He said that with a bid awarded, the contractor, Caldwell Tanks, has 450 days as of May 22 to begin the project. According to Oakley’s timetable, the contractor should have the tank assembled with final painting of the tower to commence in April, May or June of 2008.

Goins also announced a total of $1 million in grants to come to the district for renovations and replacement of facilities at the Lake Barkley water treatment plant. The work will modernize the plant’s treatment facilities and potentially double the capacity of water pumped in the day.

“We knew we were going to get $500,000 so the second $500,000 was a nice surprise,” said Goins. “We’ll get the grant agreement papers on July 1 and get the check on January 1, 2009.”

District commissioners and employees signed thank you cards for several legislators at the meeting.